There might be nine million bicycles in Beijing, but there's no shortage of them in Shanghai either. Sure, riding them isn't without its hazards – especially right now, what with every road being busily ripped up and Expo-sed – but they remain by far the ... Read More>>

A trip to the market in Shanghai is a colourful experience to say the least. It’s not for the faint-hearted, as buyers and sellers play tactical games with one another in attempt to get exactly want they want. As in all games, someone has be the winner, so ... Read More>>

One of the joys of living in Shanghai is the abundance of home delivery options. From fine wines to DVDs to that coat rack that just wouldn’t fit into a cab, online shopping and home delivery make life so simple for the expat community that venturing ... Read More>>

Counterfeited products are readily available throughout China; from DVDs and CDs, to electrical products, jewellery, bags and clothing. Some of them are so good that even the most envious stares won’t be able to tell the difference between an original and ... Read More>>

You’ve probably figured out by now that Shanghai is a shopping Mecca – shoes, accessories, electronics, antiques… It’s all right here in the city. One of the central commodities for expats and tourists alike, however, is clothes. And while there are ... Read More>>

Shanghai is enjoying a booming market in imported food products, with new import supermarkets popping up each year. We go beyond the well-known foreign chains like City Shop and Carrefour, and cover a wide variety of options in Shanghai. Read More>>

Pearl City<br /> Also known as the Hongqiao Pearl Market, this is the place to go when you're looking for cheap, cheap, cheap. They have everything from costume jewelry to (ahem) “pearls,” and they're not afraid to show you. Prices are generally ... Read More>>

As anyone with feet over a European size 38 (US 7.5) knows, finding decent shoes in Shanghai can be tricky. There’s nothing more disheartening than shopping with small-footed friends who seem to find exactly what they’re looking for among the racks, while ... Read More>>

Shanghai is a city that has rich and vibrant historic links with the trade of fabrics and textiles. From its proximity to the ancient Silk Road trading routes to its development as a major trade port during the Qing Dynasty, and from the influx of ... Read More>>

While on the surface Shanghai may not seem like the most musical of cities, it actually has a lot to offer. From hard-to-find but worth-the-hunt music stores selling original vinyl records, to dozens of instrument stores providing a vast selection of ... Read More>>

Shanghai may be the place to go for swanky bars and haute cuisine, but when it comes to healthy, organic food – eh, not so much. The now defunct Ostore that opened way back in 2006 (and promptly closed due to an underperformance that was largely blamed on ... Read More>>

Food safety is a topic that never gets exhausted in China. And yes there are enough shocking stories about fake or contaminated food in China to keep us ranting for days or even weeks. However, merely complaining is not going to make a significant impact on ... Read More>>

Fuzhou Road is one of the oldest roads in Shanghai. Back in the mid-19th century it was dotted with bookstores, publishing houses, press offices, as well as some 151 brothels. With so much history, it's not surprising that Fuzhou Road is considered one of ... Read More>>

With a total of 379 stores ranging from art galleries and studios, to art and craft stores, to fashion boutiques, restaurants, and cafes coming from over 23 countries, Tianzifang (田子方) is an international creative industry zone and is not only a ... Read More>>

The ultra-modern visage of present day Shanghai can often belie the city's roots as a historic trading port. In addition to being a centre for the trade of textiles (and opium), the city was also the main exporter of Chinese culture to the Western world, ... Read More>>

Shopping in Shanghai is, for a large portion of the population (both local and expat), a way of life. A "national pastime", if you will. The rush of a large purchase, the feel of bags upon bags hanging on both arms, the trying on and re-trying on ... Read More>>

One of my favorite things about Shanghai is the total and utter freedom people exhibit when it comes to clothing choices. I’ve seen grunge, prep, goth… you name it, Shanghai has got it (including a girl in a taffeta party dress and heels walking down the ... Read More>>

One of the great things about living in Shanghai is the variety of food and drink. There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars where you can find the sort of stuff you like to eat and drink. But what if you want to cook at home or fill your cupboards with ... Read More>>

Tianzifang is a charming area popular with tourists and locals alike for food and drinks, shopping and even some art galleries. We list our suggestions here. Read More>>

By now you've no doubt heard that Shanghai is the place to go for custom-made, well, everything. While you're not going to get the cheapest price possible on these types of things (I recommend going to Vietnam for that), you will snag some great deals on ... Read More>>

If there is one thing we Shanghai residents know, it’s shopping. Luckily, there are enough choices for every sort of mood. Feel like flexing your bargaining skills in a hustle and bustle atmosphere? Try the Fake Market. Prefer to pamper yourself in a more ... Read More>>

One great thing about living in China, and Shanghai in particular, is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables available pretty much year round. Walk a few blocks in any direction and you're bound to run into a fruit stall (or five). A little less ... Read More>>

Tucked away between the better known streets of Shaanxi Lu and Maoming Lu lies a quirky little avenue full of art, fashion, and great food. Jinxian Lu provides the perfect place to stroll while shopping for those hard-to-find outfits and accessories. Stop ... Read More>>

The area of north Jing’an District around Wanhangdu Lu and Changshou Lu is having something of a renaissance lately. There’s a new Swiss restaurant on Kangding Lu next door to a bakery and an imported food shop, and Imago Plaza is soon to open just after ... Read More>>